Bruno Clair Vosne-Romanée Les Champs Perdrix 2011

Domaine Bruno Clair is located in the heart of the Côte d'Or region of Burgundy, France. Specifically, it is situated in the commune of Marsannay-la-Côte, which is part of the Côte de Nuits wine-growing area. The Côte de Nuits is renowned for producing some of the world's finest Pinot Noir wines, including Grand Cru and Premier Cru appellations. Marsannay-la-Côte is located just south of Dijon, the capital of the Burgundy region. It is one of the northernmost communes in the Côte de Nuits, bordering the Côte de Beaune to the south. The vineyards of Marsannay-la-Côte benefit from a diverse array of terroirs, including limestone, clay, and marl soils, which contribute to the complexity and character of the wines produced there.

Bruno Clair, hailing from a distinguished lineage of winemakers in Burgundy, carries forward the rich tradition of Domaine Clair-Daü, established by his grandfather Joseph Clair and his grandmother Marguerite Daü in the early 19th century. In 1979, he founded Domaine Bruno Clair, a testament to his family's enduring legacy. Balancing modern practices with deep-rooted tradition, Bruno has expanded the estate's production to 27 hectares across eight villages and 32 appellations. He proudly represents the sixth generation of winegrowers. 

Renowned for their environmentally respectful viticulture practices, manual harvesting, and meticulous winemaking, they produce wines that capture the essence of Burgundy’s terroir. Bruno Clair has a specific cultivation method. They pay attention to the grapes and a careful selection of the plants has been part of the estate’s tradition for several generations. Bernard, Clair Bruno's father, was passionate about selecting the right variety. The red wines are fermented in open wooden vats for a fortnight with a low dose of SO2. The wine is then matured in oak barrels for 18-20 months before being bottled. The white wines are vinified in stainless steel vats without using SO2, then they finish fermenting and are matured in oak barrels or foudres. For the Marsannay Rosé, half of the cuvée is pressed immediately, and the other half is vinified via cold maceration for a few days.

While Domaine Bruno Clair is located in Marsannay-la-Côte, Les Champs des Perdrix wine is produced from vineyards situated in the village of Vosne-Romanée, in the heart of the Côte de Nuits. This wine is made exclusively from Pinot Noir, the noble grape variety of Burgundy renowned for its ability to express terroir. This climate, located at a higher altitude near some of the most prestigious Grand Cru of the region is characterized by its clay-limestone soils. 

In tasting, Les Champs Perdrix has a ruby red color. The nose is captivating, offering a bouquet of ripe red fruits with some spicy notes. On the palate, it stands out for its perfect balance, with a refined tannic structure, well-integrated acidity that brings freshness and a long elegant finish.

"The 2011 Vosne-Romanee Les Champs Perdrix is located around 45 meters in altitude farther up the slope from Romanee-Conti and is usually picked about ten days later. It has a slightly subdued bouquet at the moment, but it is nicely defined with subtle Morello cherry and fresh strawberry scents that muster more intensity with aeration, but decline to soar from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a feminine, very fresh opening: crisp raspberry and strawberry fruit enmeshed with fine tannins and structure toward the finish. One of those wines where less is more." - Antonio Galloni, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (8/28/2013, Issue 208), Ratings: 89, Drink: 2014-2022